Iran's Historical and National Treasures at Risk of Destruction and Looting; Saadi's Tomb Under Threat

After the news of the disappearance of 48 valuable carpets from the Saadabad Palace complex became public, media outlets reported on the threat of destruction to the 'Saadi Tomb' structure in Shiraz. The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported on Tuesday, May 23, stating: 'The structure of the tomb of Sheikh Ajall, Saadi Shirazi, which is significant both historically and architecturally, and is considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Iran, is in dire need of restoration and renovation; otherwise, we will witness the destruction of at least part of it.' The agency further emphasized Saadi's importance in Persian poetry and his tomb's cultural significance in Iran, adding: 'Due to serious neglect in technical and specialized maintenance, Saadi's tomb in Shiraz is facing dangers that, if ignored, will lead to its ruin.' ISNA also warned that if immediate action is not taken to allocate appropriate funding for detailed studies and the implementation of restoration and renovation plans, the outcome will be regretful. The designer of Saadi's tomb in Shiraz was the renowned French artist André Godard. His design was executed in 1950 under the order of Ali Asghar Hikmat and by the prominent Iranian architect Mohsen Foroughi. Saadi's tomb was registered with the National Heritage Association of Iran on November 11, 1974. A few days earlier, the news of the disappearance of 48 valuable carpets from the Saadabad Palace complex in Tehran had made headlines. Previously, the decision by officials to demolish the historical fabric of Shiraz under the pretext of expanding the 'Shah Cheragh' shrine faced widespread public opposition. Last year, the issue of 'unscientific restoration' of the tiles of Shah Mosque in Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan had been widely discussed among those interested in Iran's cultural heritage. The Golpayegan municipality destroyed an ancient wall from the Achaemenid period with 'local testimony.'